3 Zambians attacked in SA

THREE Zambian truck drivers sustained serious injuries after their trucks were petrol-bombed and burnt to ashes during violent protests in South Africa.

The bombings happened on Tuesday night in Groblersbrug, Limpopo Province, in two separate incidences.

According to a press statement issued by the Zambian Mission in Pretoria, a truck registration number BAH 1795ZM with interlink trailers belonging to Southgate was set alight by petrol bombs and burnt to ashes including the

cargo it was carrying.

One of the drivers whose identity is not yet confirmed with his employers, sustained life threatening injuries and had been admitted to hospital while the other one identified as 9incent Yavwa, 54, sustained minor burns and had since been discharged from hospital.

Mr. Yavwa, holder of passport number ZN246720, a driver at Southgate Investments Limited was attacked along the R 572 road at around 18 hours by the violent protesters en route to Groblersbrug.

Meanwhile, Zambia’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Emmanuel Mwamba, appealed to the South African government to urgently help safeguard the safety of Zambian truckers.

Mr Mwamba said the unfortunate development had the potential to disrupt international trade and halt the movement of goods and services between the two countries.

Mr. Mwamba noted that the attacks were unfortunate and the Zambian Mission will continue to engage the South African authorities to ensure that human life and property were protected.

Mr. Mwamba called for calm among truck drivers and the Truckers Association of Zambia as the Mission had engaged the South African government to help put measures in place to safeguard the safety of the truckers and their goods.

Last week about 30 foreign trucks including three Zambian trucks were burnt to ashes on the N3 Toll Route near Mooi River in KwaZulu-Natal bringing the total number of Zambian trucks burnt in various parts of that country to six.